Ok, I have an '82 F150 w/a 351W, edelbrock carb, MSD 6A ignition, MSD Blaster coil, MSD adjustable timing control, stock Ford distributor with a cap-adapt. The truck will start fine and run for about 15-20 minutes. Then, it's just like you shut the engine off and I can't get it started for one - three hours. Sounds like the MSD box...but, I went through MSD's manual and tested the coil and box for spark. The coil sparked on each and every test. But, I lay the coil wire next to a ground and crank the engine, and I don't get a spark. Any thoughts? I'm now beginning to suspect the rotor and/or cap.

'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik

 

Is your ground strap connected from your firewall to the engine block? I had a similar problem a few years back...Father-in-law pointed out that that ground strap was preventing my coil from sparking,

Huge Ford Fan
86F150 302 S/C, 87F150 302 S/C, 88F150 Reg 302, 89F250 4X4 Diesel, 91 F150 S/C 302

 

Wanted everyone to know that I think I found my problem. I started to look closer at the magnetic pickup circuit. Initially I measured it and I found the resistance to be within spec (400-1300 ohms). I put it back together, cranked on the engine and it started right up, but I still hadn't found the problem. It ran for 15 minutes and abruptly stopped. I pulled the magnetic pickup and tested again...it looks like a dead open. Nothing showing on the meter. So...I waited and kept checking the circuit until later in the evening when all of a sudden the circuit started reading 400 ohms. So, I jumped in, cranked the engine and she fired right up. I don't know if you can buy just the magnetic pickup, but I decided to junk the distributor and add in a new MSD. I'll let you know the rest of the story when I get the distributor on Friday.

Thanks for all your help,

'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik

 

Wanted everyone to know that I think I found my problem. I started to look closer at the magnetic pickup circuit. Initially I measured it and I found the resistance to be within spec (400-1300 ohms). I put it back together, cranked on the engine and it started right up, but I still hadn't found the problem. It ran for 15 minutes and abruptly stopped. I pulled the magnetic pickup and tested again...it looks like a dead open. Nothing showing on the meter. So...I waited and kept checking the circuit until later in the evening when all of a sudden the circuit started reading 400 ohms. So, I jumped in, cranked the engine and she fired right up. I don't know if you can buy just the magnetic pickup, but I decided to junk the distributor and add in a new MSD. I'll let you know the rest of the story when I get the distributor on Friday.

Thanks for all your help,

'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik

 

Wanted everyone to know that I think I found my problem. I started to look closer at the magnetic pickup circuit. Initially I measured it and I found the resistance to be within spec (400-1300 ohms). I put it back together, cranked on the engine and it started right up, but I still hadn't found the problem. It ran for 15 minutes and abruptly stopped. I pulled the magnetic pickup and tested again...it looks like a dead open. Nothing showing on the meter. So...I waited and kept checking the circuit until later in the evening when all of a sudden the circuit started reading 400 ohms. So, I jumped in, cranked the engine and she fired right up. I don't know if you can buy just the magnetic pickup, but I decided to junk the distributor and add in a new MSD. I'll let you know the rest of the story when I get the distributor on Friday.

Thanks for all your help,

'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik

 

Wanted everyone to know that I think I found my problem. I started to look closer at the magnetic pickup circuit. Initially I measured it and I found the resistance to be within spec (400-1300 ohms). I put it back together, cranked on the engine and it started right up, but I still hadn't found the problem. It ran for 15 minutes and abruptly stopped. I pulled the magnetic pickup and tested again...it looks like a dead open. Nothing showing on the meter. So...I waited and kept checking the circuit until later in the evening when all of a sudden the circuit started reading 400 ohms. So, I jumped in, cranked the engine and she fired right up. I don't know if you can buy just the magnetic pickup, but I decided to junk the distributor and add in a new MSD. I'll let you know the rest of the story when I get the distributor on Friday.

Thanks for all your help,

'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik

 

Sorry folks, blasted mail kept giving me send errors!!!!

'82 F150 2WD w/351W (orig 300 I6)
Slik

 

could the ground strap cause the engine to stall? I don't find a "strap" from the block to the firewall on my 88 Bronco with a 302. I have cleaned the computer ground and had the ignition module checked. Checks ok. Sometimes the engine stalls as if you turned off the key. No fuel pump or anything till you keep turning the key off and on till you hear the pump whine. Then will start. Had the switch replaced on recall. problem before and after. Dealer said needs $802 tune-up.Thanks

 

Let me guess that $802 tuneup, only replaces the plugs, and filters right? Got a price of $500 to do a tuneup on my mother's 93 Chevrolet Van (I know forbidden word). Only problem is a Dealer tuneup doesn't replace everything that needs to be replaced. They only replace the plugs and filters, the rest of it they "check" (like the cap, rotor, wires, and all of the other fluids.)

Personally I do all my own tuneups. That $500 tuneup on her van, cost her a grand total of $135. I did all of the labor, and replaced more parts than the dealership would have.

Trust me, It's better to do your own tuneups (even if you don't know anything about automobiles, You will end up learning and saving yourself some money in the long run!)


[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]

[link:www.geocities.com/westlake_vfd/Westlake.html|Westlake VFD Website]

 

Thanks.I do most of my own repairs. However recently I am recovering from a third knee surgery. Can't hardly get in this truck to drive it. Stalled when someone test drove it.
It seems to stall at shift points. Downshifting. Can one of those solenoids be bad and "grounding" out the ignition system. The module was my first inclination to look but it checked. Could it fail under certain conditions. Should I begin the search for a break in the harness? This problem seems so similar to others posted and is this what the state of California was pushing Ford about recently with vehicles stalling due to modules that get hot due to the placement relative to the engine?
Thanks again.

 

I'm assuming you're talking about the TFI module. From what I've heard and dealt with, if they fail they fail. I've yet to see one go from bad to good. I'm not saying it's not possible, just unlikely.

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 29-Dec-00 AT 03:19 PM (EST)[/font][p]Thanks.
Yes. The TFI module mounted on the distributor.
Stalls as if the key were turned off.
Will then restart only after turning key off. Can't hear fuel pump run before you turn key off.
Thanks again

 

When the engine stalls while running, does anything else shut off, or just the fuel pump? If it's just the fuel pump, then my guess would be the Fuel Pump Relay going out. It's on the driver side wheel well, next to the EEC test connector. That would be the cheapest to replace too. Another idea would be the ignition switch itself.

 

Thanks.
The Ford dealer replaced the switch under the recall. Didn't start this till awhile after.
Everything quits. Tach goes to zero.Everything.
Thanks again.

 

How long ago was it replaced?
Hopefully the tach drops to zero when the engine stops... But is it just the tach, or does the radio turn off, wipers stop, volt meter drop to nothing, heater blower stop blowing? Just trying to get a picture going. On these strange problems, those little details can be pretty important.